Oakland cop's rough response

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, April 9, 2003

IT'S HARD to justify the brutal reaction by Oakland police to Monday's anti-war rally at the Port of Oakland.

Police fired tear gas and "nonlethal" projectiles after, Chief Richard Word said, they were pelted with rocks, iron bolts and wood by some of the 500 protesters who refused orders to disperse.

At least a dozen protesters and nine longshore workers -- who weren't even involved in the rally -- were wounded by wooden dowels, rubber bullets and hard bean bags. The missiles left baseball-size bruises on their backs, necks and faces. It was, perhaps, a miracle that no one was more seriously injured or killed.

Officers must defend themselves and the city against lawbreakers. But it must be a proportional response. Monday's actions appeared excessive, even dangerous. Police must be mindful that ensuring the right to protest is also their duty.